Polish conservative gov’t making things happen: ruling party chief

During their first two years in power, Poland’s ruling conservatives have shown they can make things happen, achieving what many believed impossible, the governing party chief has said.

Law and Justice (PiS) party leader Jarosław Kaczyński pictured speaking at a patriotic event in the southern city of Kraków on Poland's Independence Day. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik

"We have demonstrated that Poland can be changed,” Jarosław Kaczyński said as he summed up the first two years of the country’s conservative government led by his Law and Justice (PiS) party.

"What seemed impossible for years -- and many people truly believed that such was the case, that things simply had to be left to follow their course, that the strong always had to win, and that the weak had to be left with nothing -- has now been changed," he added.

Speaking to public broadcaster TVP on Monday evening, Kaczyński also said that "there is no doubt that the Polish state can accomplish things when it is in good hands.”

Monday marked two years since President Andrzej Duda designated Beata Szydło as prime minister in Poland’s conservative government.

Cabinet reshuffle in December

Kaczyński also told the broadcaster in an interview that specific staffing decisions as part of an impending government reshuffle “will be made shortly.”

“We will learn about them in December,” he told the station’s Danuta Holecka.

When asked about the main tasks still ahead of the PiS-led government at the midpoint of its term, Kaczyński listed stepped-up efforts to follow through with the Home Plus low-cost housing programme and measures to improve the lives of pensioners and single mothers, in addition to other economic policy priorities.

Affordable apartments

The Home Plus programme, which is designed to provide people with affordable apartments, is of particular importance, Kaczyński said, describing it as “a real breakthrough in the lives of the Polish people.”

"This is also a major offer for all those who might want to come back from the West and work here," he added.